Legacy

Chapter 5

I felt myself tense up as we pulled up to my childhood home. I saw years' worth of beatings and cruel words imbedded n the paint as if to mock me. I saw my twelve-year-old self-screaming at me to leave and never come back. I honestly think that I should have never came back.

Chris opened my door. I looked over and everyone had already gotten out. I slowly got out of my seat and stood beside the car. Chris laced his fingers with mine and we walked forward.

Chris leaned over and whispered in my ear, "They won't hurt you. I wont let it. I give you my word Legacy." He then kissed the side of my head.

"You are so much stronger than you think. I don't know how you have dealt with this for your entire childhood. I don't think I could have gone through this and still be alive right now." He said. I felt Ricky walked up beside me. She linked my arm with hers.

"I'm here for you also. You are not going to go through this alone sugar. We have got this. Are you ready for this?" I heard Ricky say. I looked at her in shock. I did not expect this from her. She has been a bit off lately, maybe she out of her mood she was in. I hope she stays this way.

"I honestly hoped I never would have to come back here. This house is giving me nostalgia and I don't like it. I don't think anyone would be ready for this. Let's just get this over with before I start to freak out." I stammered looking straight at the door of what used to be a home. We all began to march forward as one. We were a big stonewall that no one could break, we all stood as one, we walked as if we all shared feet. Chris reached up to knock on the front door. I felt myself tense up when I door opened to reveal my father's friend Dave. He is usually there playing cards or watching the latest football game with my father. He never genuinely spoke to me either. I guess they had that in common.

I saw a wave of mixed emotions run across his face showing me a beautiful painting I'll never forget with his face as its canvas.

"Is Legacy's father here? We need to ask him where he put her passport and original birth certificate." Chris asked.

"He um, he passed away last night. He died of lung cancer. I'm so sorry Legacy. I have something he wanted me to give you though. He insisted that everything you would need is in that box. I asked him what it was but he wouldn't say. He indicated that you have to look in the box before you came back into the house." Dave explained with a solemn look on his face. He turned around and picked up a big black box that was seated on the table beside the door. It was made obviously out of steel. My name was painted on the side in small baby blue letters. It had a lock on the top. He handed me two keys. He explained that, one was a spare in case if I lost one of them. The box was somewhat heavy. Chris took the box from me and handed it to Ricky. Ricky then took the box and put in in the trunk of the car. I pocketed the keys to the box.

"He wouldn't tell you at all what was in the box?" Chris asked while I remained silent. I was lost for words. I felt like the air was knocked out of my body.

"I tried asking many times but he just would change the subject. Then he would seem like he was there but he wouldn't be there. You know? It was like he was out far in space. It was like his head would be in the clouds so to speak. He was always deep in thought. Just look in the box ok? The way he talked about when he told me to give it to you was like it was everything. Whatever it is that is in there must be very important. I hope you have a great day and I honestly hope you go far in life legacy. You have a lot of potential. If you need me you know where I will be. I know I can't be your dad but I can be a friend or a listening ear. Goodbye you guys." Dave said and then slowly shut the door without a response from the others or me. We then all walked away from the door in silence. Chris started the vehicle as we all buckled in. He then drove off to the school. We pulled up the school and he parked.

I went to unbuckle my seat belt but Chris clutched my hand looking me in the eyes and asked, "Are you ok? Are you sure you are able to do this today? You just went through a lot in the past hour. We can wait till tomorrow if you would like to."

"I am fine. Let's just get this over with ok? The more I put this off the longer I will be upset about this." I replied taking my hand out of his and unbuckling.

I then opened my car door and got out of the vehicle. I stood there waiting for Ricky and Chris. I leaned against the car leaning my head back. I felt Ricky door beginning to open. I stood straight up and all of us walked into the school. We all walked in the principal's office handing him my paperwork from the orphanage.

Not much was said other than, "See you on Monday Legacy, Chris and Ricky. I hope everything goes well with you Legacy. I'm sorry about everything you are still going through. Have a great weekend and a rest of this Friday you three. Bye now." Principal Sanders stated as we all said our goodbyes and walked out of the office and of the school.